New targets for PET imaging of inflammation

F]FDG PET tracers investigated in human inflammatory disorders, including fibroblast activation protein inhibitor radioligands, radiolabeled somatostatin analogues, translocator protein tracers, chemokine receptor 4-directed agents, folate receptor ligands, immuno-PET approaches, and bacteria-specific tracers. Available evidence suggests that these agents may provide complementary information on fibroblast activation, immune-cell recruitment, neuroinflammation, macrophage activity, or pathogen-specific processes, thereby improving lesion characterization in selected settings. Among them, fibroblast activation protein inhibitor PET and somatostatin receptor-targeted PET appear particularly promising, although data remain heterogeneous and mostly preliminary. Overall, emerging PET tracers have the potential to refine the noninvasive assessment of inflammatory disease, but larger prospective studies and standardization of imaging protocols are needed before broader clinical integration.